Saturday, January 23, 2021

Of Guilds and Counties: The Village of Iedran

Of Guilds and Counties: The Village of Iedran

By Heleen and Andrew Durston

 

Summary

·         Location: On the Bay of Izar, Guild Coast

·         Status: Guild Freetown

·         Population: 500 (approximate)

·         Government: Mayor and Guild Council

·         Market Size: Average (+0)

·         Military: Mayor

 

Introduction

Ieldran (I-el-dran, a corruption of the Erlin word Ien*dalla, meaning the end most point of an inlet, possibly referring to the northern part of the Bay to the west) is a Guild Coast town that sits on the Bay Road, which heads west and south three days' travel to the Port of Izar and which heads east to enter County Bendara at the village of Lean on the Bay of Izar.

 

Map (c) 2003 Iron Crown Enterprises from Shadow World Master Atlas 4th edition


Map by Imaginary Turtles

 

History

As the Dark Age of Haestra (C. 4000 to 5000) came to an end, civilization re-established itself in the hills around the Bay of Izar. During that time, the various new Human and Elven settlers learned what the Dwarves already knew, the Mountains of Gold were laden with the precious metal. This led to the establishment or expansion of many sites about the Bay notably the Port of Izar where the Bay meets the Sea of Gold.

 

Since the growth in size and importance over the past centuries of the Port of Izar, the controlling guilds have taken it upon themselves to maintain the trading routes north of Izar where no other strong government is present, specifically west of the Mountains of Gold. In 5220 this led to the establishment of the village of Ieldran under Guild control. Hundreds of years later, the current Village Council-appointed Mayor is Sayer Fouchier the Furrier. The village population at this time numbers about 500 with a goodly number of nearby farms and ranches nearby. Unlike Lonweriet for example, small Guild settlements like Ieldran do not offer to protect nearby farmsteads in exchange for a tithe.

 

Local events such as the Hard Winter of three years ago and global events such as the loss of the Eye of Utha have made life interesting in Ieldran but no major disruptions have occurred. Ieldran caters to travelers and caravans on the Bay Road. Trade between local farms thrives in the fair climate (especially compared to the ocean shores to the west). Ieldran is generally friendly but behind the scenes is a simmering feud between two local families, the Goces (who make a living thatching local houses) and the Garins (who own the largest smithy in the village). 

 

Government & Law

Iedran is a freetown chartered by the Guilds. This implies the village is under control of local representatives of the Guilds but also is supported by the greater Guild structure of the Guild Coast and beyond. Any registered member of a Guild has a voice in village business. They gather yearly to elect a 5 member Village Council. That Council then appoints a Mayor to run village business. The village has a small number of hired guards who uphold local laws which are based on standard Guild practice.

 

Taxes, tolls and fees:

Land: 

5% per annum (residential)

10% per annum (business)

Sales: 10% goods value

Storage: 5% goods value per month

 

Religion

Iedran features a single small chapel to the Lords of Orhan. A single priest, supported by several acolytes, holds services and serves the populace.

 

Geography/Locations of Interest:

The village is roughly rectangular stretching out along the Bay Road. A secondary unnamed road heads south to a small harbor for local fishing boats about a half a day’s journey away. Farms, residences and cottages line the roads and fan out across the fields around the village. Narrow lines of hedges, stone walls or wooden fences divide the plots of land.

 

Quality: Indicates workmanship of goods or quality of service and may be indicative of usability or potential resale value.

The Pits (-20), Inferior (-10), Average (+0), Good (+5), Superior (+10), Unparalleled (+20) 

Price: in % multiples of Character Law standard prices


  1. Village Guildhall
  2. Your Colorful Plume (Barbershop)
  3. Light’s Out Chandlery (Chandler and Candle Shop)
  4. Keep Me Warm Furs (Clothier/Furrier)
  5. One Fish, Two Fish (Fishmonger)
  6. Good Crumbs! (Bakery/Pastries)
  7. The Ubiquitous Item (General Store)
  8. Spice Delights (Specialty Store)
  9. Clothes To You (Tailor/Headwear/Pursemaker)
  10. Whispering Bunny Tavern (Tavern/Inn)
  11. Reeds & Wheat (Thatcher)
  12. The Striking Iron (Blacksmith)
  13. Mason/Stonecutter
  14. Painter/Plasterer
  15. Leatherworker (Harnesses/Saddles)
  16. Liquor Store (Wine/Beer/Spirits)
  17. Butcher
  18. Woodworker (Carpenter/Cooper)
  19. Chapel

 

Village Guildhall

At the center of town, near the spur to the coast, sits the Village Guildhall. The two story brick building (one of the few in the village) serves as the Guildhouse as well as Village Hall and home to the Village Guard. The Village Guildhall has a large meeting chamber plus a number of smaller rooms for offices, guard barracks and a small number of jail cells in the basement. The Village Mayor (Sayer Fouchier the Furrier) the guards and some of the Council members can typically be found here (or visiting during the day).

 

Your Colorful Plume (Barbershop)

Quality: Superior, Price: 125%

Next to the Guildhall is the popular barbershop, Your Colorful Plume. The single story wooden building features the barbershop in front and the owner, Kristyan Gobert’s, residence in back. Ms. Gobert’s business is surprisingly popular with waiting customers sitting in the chairs out front when the weather permits. 

 

Light’s Out Chandlery (Chandler and Candle Shop)

Quality: Good, Price: 125%

Across the street to the west from the barber is Light’s Out Chandlery. The two story wooden building hosts Neal Tetbald’s business with the store in front and workshop in the back. Neal lives in a small apartment above with his father. In addition to a variety of regular candles, plus typical items found in a general store, he also sells unique sculptured candles created in conjunction with Eloisa Digory.

 

Keep Me Warm Furs (Clothier/Furrier)

Quality: Good, Price: 100%

South of the barber and chandler, across the street, is Keep Me Warm Furs. The two story wooden building is home to Sayer Fouchier’s business preparing furs and either reselling the pelts or creating coats and accessories. Sayer was recently elected Mayor of Ieldran. This, his business and large family, who live above the store, keeps him and his wife Elda quite busy.

 

One Fish, Two Fish (Fishmonger)

Quality: Average, Price: 100%

At the south end of Ieldran, along the road to the bay, is One Fish, Two Fish. The single story wooden building features the busy fish market owned by Isobella Thim. Her brothers, who live to the south, and local fisherfolk, keep the business well-stocked with local fish and shellfish. Isobella lives with her mother in a cottage nearby.

 

Good Crumbs! (Bakery)

Quality: Good, Price: 125%

Nextdoor to the Guildhall to the east is Good Crumbs! The single story brick building features a shop in the front, owned by Ferri Brom, and a bakery in back, run by the head pastry chef, Bernart Anchier. Brom’s business was focussed on traditional baked goods (bread, rolls, etc.) until he hired Bernart who introduced finer confections inspired by Bentaran and Izaran cuisine.

 

The Ubiquitous Item (General Store)

Quality: Average, Price: 100%

Across the road from the Guildhall and bakery is The Ubiquitous Item. The two story wooden building is decorated with lavender accents, the favorite color of the owner Beatrix Gerbod. Beatrix sells all manner of traditional goods supplemented with crafting supplies and items created by locals with those supplies. She, her husband, a fisherman, and their kids live above and behind the store.

 

Spice Delights

Quality: Good, Price: 125%

Next to The Ubiquitous Item is Spice Delights. The brick two story building features a storefront, selling all manner of common and some rare spices, with a private dining room in the rear and a residence above. The owner, Richie Dodd, and his wife, Juliana, a skilled chef, live above the store. Richie has contacts along the coast and travels to Port of Izar to resupply his stock of exotic herbs.

 

Clothes To You

Quality: Average, Price: 100%

South of The Ubiquitous Item is Clothes To You. A single story wooden building, whose construction shows definite Elven influence, features the tailor, Orella Betan’s shop in front and her residence in back. Orella inherited the store decades ago from her father and has expanded the wares to include clothes made of cloth and thread from far afield. Her husband Quinala is a scribe who works either from their house or a small cubicle in the Guildhall.

 

Whispering Bunny Tavern

Quality: Average, Price: 100%

Across from the Guildhall and The Ubiquitous Item is the Whispering Bunny Tavern. The two year old two story wooden building, having been demolished by a rampaging troll previously, is a warm and friendly tavern where everyone does know your name.  The owner, Lunete Howkin, reopened the family business with her life savings and is doing a good business selling beer, wine and bar food. She lives with her daughter upstairs.

 

Reeds & Wheat (Thatcher)

Quality: Average, Price: 100%

Two buildings down from the Whispering Bunny sits Reeds & Wheat. The single story wooden, thatched roof building with storage and wagons in the back is home to the Goce family thatching business. Young Andryr Groce is the current proprietor. He and his family live in a neatly thatched cottage nearby.  

 

The Striking Iron (Blacksmith)

Quality: Average, Price: 100%

At the eastern edge of Iedran can be found The Striking Iron. The smithy is a complex of two single story buildings, office and workshop, with areas for storage and the forges. Nichol Garin, of the Garin clan, is the current owner of The Striking Iron. He is skilled in all types of forging, including armorering and weaponsmithing, but really enjoys making small tinplate toys for local children. Currently single, Nichol currently lives in the back of the office.

 

Mason/Stonecutter

Quality: Average, Price: 100%

The mason sits across from the smithy. The owner has been involved in the construction of most local brick and stone buildings.

 

Painter/Plasterer

Quality: Average, Price: 100%

The painter’s workshop is next to the thatcher’s building. A number of newer buildings feature her work inside or out.

 

Leatherworker (Harnesses/Saddles)

Quality: Good, Price: 100%

The leatherworker is downwind of the village in the south-east corner. They sometimes work with remnants from the butcher and the furrier to create all manner of leather gear.

 

Liquor Store (Wine/Beer/Spirits)

Quality: Average, Price: 100%

The liquor store sits next to the bakery. They supply spirits to most businesses, especially the tavern. Wines imported from Fruit Ridge Monastery to the north are especially popular when available.

 

Butcher

Quality: Average, Price: 100%

Also downwind of the village, the butcher sits next to the leatherworker. The shop provides fresh meat, provided by slaughter of animals from local farmers or hunters, to all locals.

 

Woodworker (Carpenter/Cooper)

Quality: Average, Price: 100%

The woodworker currently resides downwind of both the butcher and the leatherworker and is considering moving. Otherwise they do a good business providing both raw materials and construction of items large (houses, wagons) or small (chairs, barrels).

 

Chapel

Quality: Good

At the west edge of Ieldran, the chapel is dedicated to all of the Lords of Orhan. A priest and several acolytes oversee maintenance of individual shrines, established by donation of worshippers, provide general services and conduct ceremonies such as marriages.

 

Population Distribution - Ieldran

(01-55) 55% Shay, (56-75) 20% Talath, (76-80) 5% Anzeti, (81-85) 5% Haid, (86-90) 5% Yinka, (91-95) 5% Dwarves, (96-98) 3% Elves, (99-100) 2% Other

 

Notable People

 

    Kristyan Gobert, 26, is a Talath who owns Your Colorful Plume, the barbershop where everyone goes to see and be seen. Kristyan has a healthy build with short legs and a cherubic face. She has long black tresses that she braids and flips to her back. Her sensitive fern green eyes are joyful and she loves to laugh. Kristyan typically wears blue skirts and puffy white shirts that have a small amount of embroidery on them. Her outgoing personality makes it a joy to have your hair cut and fashioned.

    Kristyan took over the business from her mother a few years ago and turned a failing business into a thriving one. She has quite an eye for styles and her new style is often the most fashionable one. Her haircuts may cost a bit more; but everyone agrees that it is worth the extra money. She loves to talk while she works and knows lots of the local gossip in town.

    Kristyan has not been particularly lucky in love. Her first love was an adventurer, Michael, who died two years ago. He was killed by a giant slime in a dungeon that he and his friends were checking out. Since then she has been out with several dates and is currently being courted by Bernart Anchier, the pastry chef.

 

    Neal Tetbald, 22, is a Shay who works for his father, Abe, as a chandler. Together they run Light’s Out Chandlery. Abe started the business many years ago; but has made rumblings about wanting to retire soon. Neal has stepped up and happily plans to take his place. Neal has a scrawny build with long arms and an oval face. His aw-shucks looks keep life interesting. He has short black hair and placid gray eyes. In the workshop attached to the shop he normally wears an apron on top of his leather pants and yellow or green jerkin. He wears a black rope for a belt which has a loop for a dagger.

    Neal makes many candles for everyday use and these are what keep the shop going. Recently he met Eloisa Digory, 24, Shay, who showed him how to use multi-colored wax to create wonderful sculptured candles. He has begun selling these and they have become a veritable hit. Abe is not quite sure what to make of these new candles; but since they sell he doesn’t feel he can say very much.

    Neal has started to date Eloisa; but is very conscious of the fact that she is older than he is. She laughs at this and tells him that she wants to make life interesting for the both of them. One thing that troubles Neal is that Eloisa refuses to talk about her family and where she comes from. So far he has managed to push that to the back of his mind; but he keeps meaning to find out more about her.

 

    Sayer Fouchier, 32, is a Talath who is a furrier. He owns Keep Me Warm Furs. He specializes in wolf furs and has many different color furs based on the wolves that are in the nearby forests. Sayer also imports furs from the Port of Izar to keep his merchandise unique and interesting. Sayer is tall and muscular and takes pride in his appearance. He has blond hair that he wears short. He also sports a mustache that he waxes for special occasions. He always wears leather pants with a variety of colorful woolen tops. As soon as the weather turns cold he dons a different fur coat everyday and strolls about Ieldran to show off how they look.

    Sayer has made deals with several local hunters who keep him supplied with furs. He lets the hunters eat or sell the rest of the wolf as he only wants the furs. Sayer sponsors twice yearly dinners where everyone dresses up. During these dinners Sayer hires local men and women to model his coats, gloves and accessories. These dinners have become quite popular. Sayer is the mayor of the town and makes it a point to walk around town one day a week to talk to people who might have any issues. This has made him very popular with everyone in town.

    Sayer has a wife, Elda, 32, who is a Shay. They have 4 children, Yon, 14, Lief, 10, Gisla, 5 and Tatsy 3. The whole family is quite happy and Sayer has begun grooming Yon to take over the business one day. One alarming incident happened last week where someone broke into Keep Me Warm furs and stole a couple of the more expensive coats. The local constables don’t seem to have any idea about who would do such a thing. Sayer has looked into upgrading his store security.

 

    Isobella Thim, 22 is a Shay who owns One Fish, Two Fish which sells fish from the ocean as well as fish caught locally in streams. She is of average height and has a round figure. She has auburn hair that she wears in a short bob. Her eyes are blue; but one of them is a glass eye. As a young child a fishing hook took her eye out and since her family was poor, they decided to go the glass eye route. This does nothing to mar her beauty. Isobella prefers to wear dresses in a variety of colors with some lace around the neck and on the arms.

    Isobella inherited the business from her father 4 years ago. Her brothers, Rick and Thomas, make the journey down to the southern waters on alternate days so that they always have shellfish and other fish that can last to bring back for Isobella to sell. Local fishermen bring in fish every morning just before daylight so that the fish are fresh. Isobella has started taking some of the fish and preparing it to be served a few different ways. Most people in town are very happy about this and fish for breakfast is one of the new fashionable things to do.

    Isobella lives with her mother, Heloise, 50,who helps her in the shop. Her two brothers, Rick, 18 and Thomas,16. They also help in the store when they are not traveling. They live in a nice small cottage just to the south of town, so that they are closer to the Bay of Izar. Isobella is currently dating Atkin Rolant, 24, also Shay. They haven’t made any serious plans yet.

 

    Bernart Anchier, 27, is a Talath that works for Good Crumbs!, a pastry and dessert shop. His boss is Ferri Brom, 40, also a Talath who handles baking the bread and rolls for the shop. Bernart is more of a pastry artist than a chef. He is tall and has a muscular physique from lifting bags of flour all day. He has golden blonde hair and jasper green eyes. Bernart loves to dress well and wears custom made clothing every day along with a large apron. He has some nice tunics and vests in a variety of colors.

    Bernart started working for Ferri five years ago and for the most part they get along. Most people in town couldn’t really afford the fancy pastry that Bernart wanted to make. Bernart came up with the idea of having pastry tasting a couple of times a week and soon this worked out. The Good Crumb! Is now a success and lots of people come to enjoy the pastries.

    Bernart is currently courting Kristyan Gobert. He hopes to propose very soon. He has been putting aside money every week to buy a proper ring for her and to buy a house for them to live in. Ferri is aware of his intent and has been suggesting places to go on dates with Kristyan.

 

    Beatrix Gerbod, 40, is a Shay who owns The Ubiquitous Item, a general store. Beatrix is short and painfully thin. She has an attractive face with long white hair and gray eyes. Beatrix has a hard time finding clothes because everything just hangs on her. She decided to learn how to sew clothes for herself and does a fair job of it. She mostly wears skirts and tops with very little embellishment. Her favorite color is lavender so she has a few tops in different styles that are that color.

    The Ubiquitous Item does an excellent business with a stock that carries all sorts of items that people need. A few years ago, Beatrix got the idea of selling a small amount of craft items in the store. She actively encourages people who have a hobby to make some items for the store and see if they sell. Lots of people in town like this idea, especially around the holidays.

    Beatrix is married to Audrey Gerbod, 43, Shay. They have been together for 20 years and married for 15 of them. Audrey helps out in the store; but loves to fish and is one of the fishermen who sells to Isobella in the mornings. Beatrix and Audrey have just two children, Nab, 14 and Tillie 12. Both help out in the store; but both hope to do something besides run the store when they are older. Beatrix is not sure who to leave the store too and it keeps her awake some nights.

 

    Richie Dodd, 26, is an Anzeti who owns Spice Delights, a small store that carries a wonderful variety of spices for cooking. Richie is short and squat with a russet brown cherubic face and an off-kilter smile. He has gray almost black eyes and short black hair. He wears clothes that are just a season past the latest fashion. He favors brown well-tailored pants and white shirts with a colorful jacket over them. As a habit, he carries a dagger in his belt. 

    Richie has always loved making food taste wonderful and managed to work out a deal with a spice merchant in the Port of Izar. Once a month he hands the store over to his wife for a week and makes a trip to the Port of Izar to resupply his stock. He also has several deals with ship captains that keep an eye out for exotic spices on their travels.

    Richie is married to Juliana, 24, Shay who works with him in the store. Twice a month she hosts a dinner and invites several people from town and makes a point of serving food that has a variety of spices that they sell in Spice Delights. The dinners have become somewhat legendary and it is considered an honor to be asked.

   

    Orella Betan, 110, is an Erlini elf who runs Clothes To You, a tailor shop. She is tall and awkward looking, which she tries to hide by wearing very plain clothing. Her body is all angular except for her face which is round and lovely. She has long white hair with purple highlights that she braids in a variety of ways to keep life interesting. Her eyes are deep set and cornflower blue. Her clothes may be plain; but they are very well made and she changes the style frequently so that she can be a walking advertisement for the store.

    Orella learned sewing from her father who started the store many years ago. She has expanded the shop to include a variety of cloth and thread from other locations. The store does well for being in a small town and Orella has to take on some help during the celebratory dinner and ball season to handle all the outfits. This is Orella’s favorite time of year as it allows her to create unique dresses.

    Orella is married to Quinala, 120, one of the few other Erlini in town. He works for the town as a scribe and they have a normal marriage. They have one child, Farro, 45, who helps out in the shop. Orella recently discovered that Farro had been visiting an illicit church and she is not quite sure what she should do about it.

 

    Lunete Howkin, 33, is a Shay who owns the Whispering Bunny Tavern. She is a bit chunky from eating her own cooking; but has strong arms and a nonsensical smile. She has long beautiful cinnamon-colored hair which she wears with a variety of ribbons tied up in it. Her blue green eyes are almond shaped and seem to be looking everywhere and nowhere at the same time. She wears black skirts and favors yellow or orange tunics. Her clothes are usually covered by a large apron. 

    The Whispering Bunny has been a dream of Lunete for many years. Her family ran a tavern while she was growing up; but it was demolished by a troll with an attitude. It has taken a lot of saving for Lunete to open the Whispering Bunny; but she finally managed to do so just two years ago. The tavern sells ale and wine and a variety of food. Nothing too fancy; just good food and drink at a fair price and served with a smile.

    Lunete’s husband ran off with a barmaid several years ago leaving Lunete to care for her daughter, Sadie, 10. She has had several chances to date other men; but is overly cautious as she doesn’t want to pick the wrong guy to be a father to Sadie. She also doesn’t want to share the business. Sadie longs for a father and frequently chats up the younger men who visit the tavern.

 

    Andryr Goce, 25, is a Shay who owns Reeds & Wheat, a thatcher. Andryr has a compact build and is very agile. He has black hair that he wears short; but also has a full beard that he wears in plaits to keep out of the way. He has steel blue eyes that have a bit of a slant to them. Andryr favors leather pants and dark-colored tunics. He wears a stout apron when working.

    Andryr and his family have been at odds with Nichol Garin who owns The Striking Iron.The feud has gone on for several generations and at times people have forgotten what the initial feud was over. Andryr’s father makes sure that he never forgets. According to the legend, Andryr’s great grandfather was in love with Nichol’s great grandmother. They planned to be married. Andryr’s family was supposed to thatch the house that the newlyweds would live in. Nichol’s family was going to supply some kitchen tools and tools for using the fireplace. Unfortunately, on their wedding day a fierce storm came through the town and blew off most of the roof. Andryr’s great grandfather asked for a split of the money required to rebuild the roof and Nichol’s family refused saying that the roof should have been built more sturdily. The wedding almost didn’t happen. The two parties both eloped and came back and lived for a while with Andyr’s great grandfather while they rebuilt the roof with the strongest material they could find. The grievance is still told to all generations and the holiday dinners are a nightmare to get through.

    Andryr and his wife, Aalez, 22, also Shay have been married for several years. They have 3 children, Ala, 4, Lina, 2 and Bibelena,1 who they call “Bib”. Their house is one of the nicer ones in town and has a beautifully thatched roof. The family stays mostly at home and Andryr goes daily to Reeds & Wheat. He recently told Aalez that he was working late getting ready for the next day when in fact he has been having an affair with Mawt Warner, 19. Aalez has no idea, though she is quite unhappy with the marriage.

 

    Nichol Garin, 24, is a Talath who owns The Striking Iron. Nichol is tall and very muscular. He has very thick biceps from practicing his craft. He has yellow straw hair that he has given up trying to tame and clover gray eyes that light up at even small surprises. Nichol favors brown leather pants and green or blue tunics that he has specially made by Orella, the tailor. He normally wears a black belt with a buckle of an iron striking an anvil, which he made. While working he also wears a toolbelt that has his most frequently used blacksmith tools in it.

    Nichol has heard about the feud his family has with the thatchers. For his part he just tries to stay away from the family. He is a general blacksmith and happily makes a wide variety of objects and tools for the town. He is not above crafting the occasional weapon or piece of armor; but explains that they don’t reflect his best work. Nichol will also take commissions from anyone to create unusual items. This is one of his favorite parts of the job and he even enjoys creating small toys for children in his spare time.

    Nichol has had eyes on Mawt Warner; but has no idea that Andryr is having an affair with her. Nichol hasn’t worked up the courage to ask her out and just admires her from afar. Mawt loves to stir up trouble and has started making eyes at Nichol. Nichol will probably ask soon as he is desperate to start a family.

 

Adventure Threads

  • Reed vs. Iron - Nichol Garin’s father, Vander Garin, arrives in town and demands to know why the Goce’s are still in Ieldran. Vander tells Nichol that if he, Nichol, doesn’t do something soon, Vander and the family take action themselves and will take back his smithy to boot. It sounds like Nichol might be in need of assistance.
  • Reed vs. Iron 2 - Nichol Garin spots (or someone else tells him that they spotted) Andryr Goce leaving Mawt Warner’s family cottage. This might be the straw that breaks the camel’s back and propels Nichol into the family feud. 
  • Rogue Knight - 40 miles east of Ieldran where the Bay Road meets a trail that heads northwest to the Coast Road, an old (self-declared? No one knows) Knight has established a manor and offers protection to nearby farms in exchange for the usual tithe. Nominally inside the unofficial Guild Coast borders, the Guilds are intrigued and are considering sending an embassy to meet with this mysterious Knight and gauge his or her true intentions. That ambassador is likely to pass through Iedran or even might be dispatched from Ieldran via the Mayor.
  • Night Rogue - Sasha Nightbough, behind the scenes leader of Lonweriet’s underground, looks to sink the Ebon Fangs into Iedran. She dispatches a traveler to town to observe and see which merchant would be most in need of her “favors.”

 

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